articles

First Friday in Downtown York

By Downtown York Inc January 28, 2024

EVERYONE is invited to attend Downtown York's monthly First Friday in Historically Edgy Downtown York on February 2, 2024, presented by WellSpan Health. First Friday is a celebration of Downtown York, PA shops, restaurants, cultural venues and nightlife hot spots. From 5-9pm, downtown shops and restaurants host special events, offer refreshments and promotions, and sponsor live entertainment. As you are enjoying the First Friday happenings with your family, share your photos on Instagram and Facebook, @downtownyorkpa, #ffyork. Events and activities in BOLD are made possible this month thanks to grants from our First Friday sponsor, Wellspan Health.

Entertainment : 

Appell Center for the Performing Arts

First Friday Free Family Film: The Road to El Dorado, 6:30pm in the Capitol Theatre. Tulio (Kevin Kline), Miguel (Kenneth Branagh), and their hilarious horse, Altivo, are in search of treasure on the legendary Lost City of Gold when they are mistaken for gods and lavished with riches beyond their wildest dreams. As friendship, loyalty and greed collide, they must make the decision of their lives: run off with the gold, or face risks and dangers to save the people of El Dorado! This event is free thanks to UPMC. 

Jazz in the City: Steve Rudolph Trio- 5:30pm in The Studio. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $15 the day of the show. All students are free but must register in advance. 

  • Steve Rudolph – piano
  • Steve Meashey – bass
  • Larry Marshall – drums

Percussionist Jeff Stabley, adjunct faculty and instructor of Jazz Studies, Percussion, and Improvisation at York College is at the helm as the curator and Artistic Director of this monthly ensemble of talented local and regional, and at times national and international musicians performing live in the Studio at the Appell Center.

“This is a chance for music fans to see world-class musicians playing the highest quality music in a top-notch setting”, says Stabley.  You’ll hear traditional and non-traditional jazz, as well as jazz versions of pop music.  Anything from Louis Armstrong to Hip-Hop!” This event often sells out in advance, so get your tickets early. Although students are free, they too should reserve a ticket in advance to be assured of a seat.

Granfalloons: First Friday Afterparty with Aortic Valve at 9pm. $5 cover, 21+. Aortic Valve: (AN) IMMERSIVE AUDIO/VIDEO ALTERNATIVE (TO) ‘DANCE’ MUSIC. Paying homage to the past while forever looking forward, Evolution massages the ears. Blending obscure imagery with a touch of the avant-garde, VJCA tickles the eyes. Appealing to those who like to shake it on the dancefloor as well as those looky-loos who prefer to bug out and play the perimeter, Aortic Valve are dual-sensory performing artists who produce a simultaneous stream of sight & sound. Discerning lookers & listeners with eclectic tastes and those with a propensity for the weird tend to gravitate to what we have to offer. Can’t make this First Friday Afterparty? Join them again for First Friday April on April 5 for another event at Granfalloons! 

King George Speakeasy: Olds Sleeper plays live in the KGS for First Friday February starting at 8pm. Olds Sleeper makes all his music at home, in quiet places– alone. He likes to play small, intimate shows

Royal Square District: February First Friday in Royal Square, 5pm-9pm


Arts:

Anita Williams and Joey Tice Art Studio and Gallery: Open on the third floor above the Handsome Cab.

Creatives on King: Open 5pm-9pm and kicking off the Monthly Studio Experiences with Wearable Gourds & Cork and Linoblock card making. Shop the gallery for ‘love’ themed art and visit the critters from Reptile Smiles. 

Dark Parlour: Open 5pm-9pm. Clearance event on vintage items, 1960-1990, in the front room as marked. New gothic primitives and restock on candles. Say hello to the ghosts of The Dark Parlour! No gallery show this month due to renovations and gallery repair. 

Debbie Toluba Artist Studio: Located above Venture, open 5pm-8pm. Stop in and see the space, say hello, and browse a selection of art and gifts from $30 and under. 

HIVE artspace: Theme, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ a heart-themed exhibit featuring over 120 pieces of art. Kate Rush will be open on the 3rd floor from 6pm-8pm. 

King’s Courtyard Artist Collective: Make and take Tie Dye Heart Garland with Melody Hoffman, Selfie Station “The Throne of Love,” and sweet treats & sweetheart punch! Channeled Tarot readings with Liette Monic from 6-8pm. Meet and Greet some KCAC artists, welcome new artists Moxie LTD

Marketview Arts: Join us in celebrating the artwork of 180+ talented student artists from 13 York-area high schools! We’re kicking off the 2023-24 YCASE Art Walk on February First Friday with light refreshments at Marketview Arts from 5-9pm. We invite you to walk through downtown York to view the artwork at each participating venue! Venues include: Creative York, Gallery at 227, The Gunter-Smith Center for Community Engagement, The Grotto, Marketview Arts, Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, Ophelia’s Making Agency, and Prince Street Cafe. Visit ycp.edu/ycase for additional details. 5pm-9pm 

Venture: Open 5pm-9pm with a Valentine card making station, free tags for gifting, and new pottery by Roger Baum.

 

Shopping:

Confidence Boutique: In honor of February 2 First Friday, Confidence will be offering 22% off the entire store including jewelry, apparel, and accessories. Customers will also receive a free gift with all purchases. 

Feral Heart Club: Open 10am-9pm for First Friday!


Dining:

Archetype Pizza: Open 11am-10pm for First Friday!

Aviano’s: Open 4:30pm-8pm. Happy Hour 4:30pm-6pm. 

Cantina: Open 4pm-12am, Happy Hour 4pm-6pm with live music! 

Gather 256: Check out the First Friday special menu including blackened chicken in penne pasta, seared Korean BBQ salmon, and tonkatsu Ramen bowls. 10% off all seasonal handcrafted espresso beverages. All ages welcome. 

Mesa Moreira: Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting with Devix & Just Like Murray. Join Downtown Inc, YCEA, and Buy Local Coalition as we cut the ribbon to celebrate Mesa’s newly obtained liquor license and cocktail menu! The event kicks off at 4pm. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to celebrate the grand opening of this Portuguese gem in downtown York, while immersing yourself in the vibrant sounds of Devix and Just Like Murray. This will be an evening filled with great food, incredible music and unforgettable memories. 


Parking:

Parking is plentiful in Downtown York. There are 1,260 garage parking spaces and 350 on-street parking meters in our downtown area, and parking couldn’t be any easier for First Friday in Downtown York. On-street parking is free after 5pm and parking in one of the three downtown parking garages is free after 6:30pm. Click the links below for driving directions to the three parking garages:

Free parking is also available in the Royal Square District after 5pm at the following locations:

For more information on parking in Downtown York, click here.

For more information on First Friday and to stay up to date info on all the fun activities happening in Downtown York be sure to visit downtownyorkpa.com